University of Massachusets Athletics

Minutemen Fall To Rams, 77-62
February 26, 2022 | Men's Basketball
UMass shot over 54-percent in the second half to score 39 points.
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team fell to VCU 77-62 on Saturday afternoon in the Mullins Center. The Minutemen (12-15 Overall, 5-10 Atlantic 10) shot over 54-percent in the final half to score 39 points while VCU (20-7 Overall, 13-3 A-10) answered each UMass run with one of its own.
It was a defensive battle to start as the Minutemen forced the Rams into four turnovers through just over four minutes played before a 9-0 VCU run that gave them an early 15-5 advantage. UMass started the game just 4-of-20 from the field as VCU built its largest lead at 28-13 with just over five to go in the first half.
The Minutemen followed by making four of their next five shots, stringing together an 8-2 run to bring the score to 30-21. VCU answered with an 8-0 run and maintained its lead by making nine of its last ten shots to end the half to lead 41-23 at the break. The Rams shot just under 58-percent in the first 20 minutes of play and finished the day over 52-percent from the field.
UMass got more production offensively in the final 20 minutes as the Minutemen shot 13-of-24 from the field in the second half. The Minutemen scored eight unanswered, capped off by a Trent Buttrick slam before VCU followed with six unanswered to stretch its lead to 20. Buttrick finished with a team-high 12 points and added eight rebounds.
UMass strung together a late scoring run, this one a 10-2 streak to make it a 71-56 game with just under four minutes remaining.
Michael Steadman added 11 points and eight rebounds for a UMass team that finished the night with a 36 to 27 advantage on the glass. Greg Jones pitched in nine points and seven rebounds off the bench while Noah Fernandes finished with nine points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Minutemen resume Atlantic 10 action on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Bronx against Fordham.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's basketball team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassBasketball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
It was a defensive battle to start as the Minutemen forced the Rams into four turnovers through just over four minutes played before a 9-0 VCU run that gave them an early 15-5 advantage. UMass started the game just 4-of-20 from the field as VCU built its largest lead at 28-13 with just over five to go in the first half.
The Minutemen followed by making four of their next five shots, stringing together an 8-2 run to bring the score to 30-21. VCU answered with an 8-0 run and maintained its lead by making nine of its last ten shots to end the half to lead 41-23 at the break. The Rams shot just under 58-percent in the first 20 minutes of play and finished the day over 52-percent from the field.
UMass got more production offensively in the final 20 minutes as the Minutemen shot 13-of-24 from the field in the second half. The Minutemen scored eight unanswered, capped off by a Trent Buttrick slam before VCU followed with six unanswered to stretch its lead to 20. Buttrick finished with a team-high 12 points and added eight rebounds.
UMass strung together a late scoring run, this one a 10-2 streak to make it a 71-56 game with just under four minutes remaining.
Michael Steadman added 11 points and eight rebounds for a UMass team that finished the night with a 36 to 27 advantage on the glass. Greg Jones pitched in nine points and seven rebounds off the bench while Noah Fernandes finished with nine points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Minutemen resume Atlantic 10 action on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Bronx against Fordham.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's basketball team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassBasketball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Team Stats
VCU
UMass
FG%
.527
.382
3FG%
.455
.158
FT%
.737
.708
RB
27
36
TO
17
22
STL
13
9
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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